People stand at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, a day after hand-held radios used by armed group Hezbollah detonated across Lebanon’s south, in Beirut, Lebanon. (Image: REUTERS)
Qatar Airways announces prohibition on walkie-talkies and pagers from Beirut airport after pager explosions across Lebanon injure thousands.
Lebanese authorities on Thursday banned walkie-talkies and pagers from being taken on flights from Beirut airport, the National News Agency reported, after thousands of such devices exploded during a deadly attack on Hezbollah this week.
The Lebanese civilian aviation directorate asked airlines operating from Beirut to tell passengers that walkie-talkies and pagers were banned until further notice. Such devices were also banned from being shipped by air, the Lebanese state news agency reported.
Following the issuance of the directive, Qatar Airways said a ban has been imposed on the carriage of pagers and walkie-talkies by passengers departing from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY).
It said the prohibition extends to all forms of luggage, including both checked and carry-on bags, as well as cargo.
“Following the directive received from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Lebanon, all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board flights. The ban applies to both checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will be enforced until further notice,” Qatar Airways said in a statement on social media.
At least 37 people were killed and more than 3,000 wounded when pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded in two waves of attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lebanon and Hezbollah, a heavily armed group backed by Iran, say Israel carried out the attack.
Israel has not claimed responsibility.
The Lebanese army said on Thursday it was blowing up pagers and suspicious telecom devices in controlled blasts in different areas. It called on citizens to report any suspicious devices.
Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border for almost a year, in a conflict triggered by the Gaza war.
(with inputs from Reuters)
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Agencies)
